Free things to do · Belfast · United Kingdom
10 free things to do in Belfast
Belfast without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Irid Escent, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Belfast without paying an entry fee: Belfast City Hall, Ulster Museum, Botanic Gardens and Palm House and St George's Market are all free. City Hall, the Ulster Museum, the Botanic Gardens, the Linen Hall Library and the murals on foot all cost nothing.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 1
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–February and November
Free sights and experiences
Architecture · City Centre
1.Belfast City Hall
Tours are free but limited in size; pick up a slot at reception early in the day.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Rainy day
Museum · Queen's Quarter
2.Ulster Museum
Pair it with a walk through the Botanic Gardens, whose gates are right beside the museum.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Art
Garden · Queen's Quarter
3.Botanic Gardens and Palm House
The Tropical Ravine and Palm House are free and make a warm escape on a cold, wet afternoon.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Kids
- Outdoors
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Market · City Centre
4.St George's Market
Arrive hungry on a Saturday or Sunday morning for an Ulster fry bap or fresh seafood from the stalls.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Neighbourhood · Cathedral Quarter
5.Cathedral Quarter and St Anne's Cathedral
Come back after dark, when traditional music sessions start in several of the pubs.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- After dark
- Photo spot
- Food
- History
Nature · North Belfast
6.Cave Hill and Belfast Castle
Allow about two hours for the circular walk to the summit and wear boots; the paths get muddy.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Active
Historic site · City Centre
7.Linen Hall Library
Stop at the upstairs café for a quiet cup of tea in the book-lined rooms.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Architecture · East Belfast
8.Stormont Estate
Take the Glider G1 east to the end of the line, then walk up the Prince of Wales Avenue for the classic view.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Outdoors
- History
Waterfront · City Centre
9.Lagan waterfront and the Big Fish
Walk from the Big Fish over the Lagan Weir footbridge to reach Titanic Belfast in about 20 minutes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Art
- Photo spot
Landmark · East Belfast
10.C.S. Lewis Square
Children love finding all the statues; combine it with a walk or bike ride along the Connswater Greenway.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Art
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| City Centre | Belfast City Hall, St George's Market, Linen Hall Library and Lagan waterfront and the Big Fish | 1 hour + 1–2 hours + 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| Queen's Quarter | Ulster Museum and Botanic Gardens and Palm House | 2 hours + 1 hour |
| Cathedral Quarter | Cathedral Quarter and St Anne's Cathedral | 2 hours |
| North Belfast | Cave Hill and Belfast Castle | 2–3 hours |
| East Belfast | Stormont Estate and C.S. Lewis Square | 1.5 hours + 30 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Historic site · City Centre
Crown Liquor Saloon
Visit mid-afternoon on a weekday to have a better chance of getting one of the snugs.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
- Food
More ways to save
- City Hall, the Ulster Museum, the Botanic Gardens, the Linen Hall Library and the murals on foot all cost nothing.
- Northern Irish banknotes are legal currency in the UK but are sometimes refused in Great Britain; spend them before you leave.
- Hotels are much cheaper on Sunday to Thursday nights than at weekends.
- A coach tour to the Giant's Causeway is usually cheaper than hiring a car for a solo traveller or couple.
- Pre-theatre and early-bird menus offer two or three courses for much less than à la carte.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Belfast expensive to visit?
Belfast is moderately priced for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Belfast?
Belfast City Hall: Tours are free but limited in size; pick up a slot at reception early in the day.